Cellphone technology is about to revolutionise the efficiency of the country’s property industry, making searching for property that much easier and faster.
That is according to Simon Leps, CEO of South African-based global mobile solutions firm Fontera. According to Leps, Fontera’s team of specialists has developed technology that will allow prospective home buyers to view information about properties they are interested in via their cellphones.
Through Fontera’s PropertyTXT, estate agents will be able to display a code on an advertising board outside the property they are selling, or in the media. Prospective buyers can then SMS the code to a five-digit telephone number (a shortcode) that will send them an SMS link with detailed information about the property and the agent on their cellphones.
Those with WAP-enabled cellphones will be able to source the detailed information on specific properties that appeal to them, from viewing photographs, descriptions and floor plans to receiving agent’s details and video walkthroughs. They will also be able to “click to call” the estate agent directly from the mobile internet site.
Prospective buyers are also able to browse the mobile site for homes that meet their specifications in a particular region. Results can then be passed by SMS or emailed to others who are involved in the purchase.
Vered Estates in Cape Town will be the South African agency to go live with the system.
“Estate agencies need to keep up with technological developments in order to remain relevant in today’s digital age,” says Louise Maranz of Vered Estates. “We are excited to be pioneering the use of this technology in our industry.”
“South Africans are increasingly embracing mobile solutions to simplify their lifestyles. We feel this is yet another mechanism is the logical next step to optimal time management,” says Leps.